Dan in Green Gables A modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gables

After being abandoned by his mother, a queer teen endeavors to cultivate a sense of home and belonging in this tender and heartfelt graphic novel reimagining of Anne of Green Gables. Living on the road with his flighty mother, who has an alcohol dependency, forced pale-skinned 15-year-old Dan to assume adult responsibilities early in his childhood. His nomadic lifestyle abruptly ends when his mother takes him to rural Tennessee to meet his late father's parents; the next morning, Dan is heartbroken to realize his mother is gone, leaving him with the grandparents he's never known. Growing pains abound as his headstrong and free- spirited nature clashes with Pawpaw's strictness, religious teachings, and homophobic ideologies. Despite his strained relationship with Pawpaw, though, he bonds with Mawmaw. Now attending a local school, Dan makes friends, encounters bullies, and tries to carve a place for himself in his new community. Animated, intricately detailed artwork by Aguirre (Lifetime Passes) has a watercolor feel that evokes a nostalgic 1990s ambiance. Utilizing a bustling, distinctly limned cast anchored by a protagonist whose personality leaps off the page, Terciero (Northranger) explores religion, generational trauma, acceptance, and self-worth with grace. Ages 12--up. Author's agent: Brent Taylor, TriadaUS. (June)

Gr 8 Up--This retelling of Anne of Green Gables set in 1995 follows Dan, a gay teen whose mother has a problem with alcohol and can't seem to settle down. Dan's mother leaves him in Tennessee with his paternal grandparents where he struggles to fit in with southern culture and is targeted for his blithe personality and refusal to be anyone but himself. This is a bright tale with hard themes that explores found family, friendship, community, and the strength in being oneself. The back matter includes a letter from Terciero about their connection to Anne and how their own experiences of being queer and biracial in Tennessee inspired this title. Aguirre's work shines as Dan's personality comes through the art, giving him the lively nature of the original Anne. The graphic format is used to further express intense feelings experienced by the characters. The art style is detailed, especially in capturing the 1990s Tennessee setting, while still maintaining an appealing bright, bold look. The book contains a content warning for bullying, physical assault, and homophobia. Dan is pale with red hair, his mother has brown skin, and the grandparents are white. VERDICT A must purchase, especially for fans of Mike Curato's Flamer or those who enjoy the works of Ivy Noelle Weir and Kathleen Gros.--Taylor Skorski

A playful, queer graphic novel reimagining ofAnne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery's classic coming-of-age novel. Fifteen-year-old Daniel Stewart-Álvarez is accustomed to a wandering life with his free-spirited, brown-skinned mother. Arriving in rural Tennessee in the spring of 1995, Dan is eager to meet his deceased father's parents, who present white. But when he wakes up to a goodbye note from his mom, he's devastated to have been abandoned. Kind, patient Mawmaw comforts him, sparks his interest in the farm, and shares his love for Dolly Parton. Rough, conservative Pawpaw is a harder nut to crack, bristling at Dan's unusual clothing and gregarious personality. Despite facing homophobic comments at his new school and getting into a fight, Dan makes some fast friends, including Rudy, a Black girl whose liberal church community welcomes him. Dan also develops an unexpected crush on a boy who might just like him back. The dreamy, whimsical illustrations are steeped in the sweet, slow feeling of a humid East Tennessee afternoon. Pops of saturated color flood the background of some panels, highlighting emotional moments and mirroring Dan's vibrant personality. Satisfying thematic parallels and a spirited, vulnerable carrot-topped protagonist will satisfy fans of the original, which is refreshingly remixed by Terciero's joyfully queer spin. An effervescent search for belonging and a heartfelt ode to a beloved classic. (content note, recipe, note about Lucy Maud Montgomery, author's note)(Graphic fiction. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.